Brexit fury: Transition could be EXTENDED as EU REFUSES to budge on Irish border issue

THERESA MAY could be preparing to extend the Brexit transition period until 2021, in a move that would see the UK forced to abide by Brussels’ laws for a further 12 months and cost the country an extra £17billion.

Currently, the UK is due to formally leave the EU on March 19 next year but will remain in a so-called ‘transition period’ until the end of 2020.

However, according to provocative reports in The Daily Telegraph the Prime Minister is considering extending the period for another year, until the close of 2021.

The extension would mean the UK paying the EU billions of pounds more for continued access to the single market, whilst implementing a large portion of Brussels made laws without a formal vote on their passing.

It’s been estimated the extra year tied to Brussels could cost the UK £17billion.

He claimed: “It is true that there needs to be a period, probably following the transition period we’ve negotiated and before we enter into our long-term partnership, because of the time it will take to implement the systems required.”

The proposed extension was sharply attacked by Jacob Rees-Mogg, Chair of the Eurosceptic European Research Group.

He claimed: “It not only leaves us in the EU for longer, it leaves us as a non-voting member for longer so we have no say over the rules coming in.

It’s been estimated the extra year tied to Brussels could cost the UK £17billion (Image: GETTY)

“It’s also bad news from a party point of view because we would not have been able to show any of the advantages of leaving the EU by the time of the next General Election.”

Some in the Government believe extending the transition period for a year is required to provide time for a comprehensive deal with the EU to be agreed.

In particular they argue it would reduce the urgency of the Northern Irish ‘backstop’ dispute, over whether Northern Ireland could remain tied to the EU customs union after Brexit, which is currently one of the main negotiations sticking points.

It is not clear whether the EU would agree to an additional one year transition period extension should the UK seek to delay separation from the trade bloc.